US Voting Participation for 2025 World Zionist Congress Sees Significant Surge
Voting in the US for the 2025 World Zionist Congress election has more than doubled compared to 2020, with 53,213 votes cast in the first week. This significant increase highlights heightened engagement among American Jews, aiming to influence the leadership and funding priorities for Israel and global Jewish communities. The election features 22 competitive groups and over 2,900 candidates, indicating robust participation. The Congress will take place in Jerusalem from October 28 to 30, 2025.
Voting participation in the United States for the 2025 World Zionist Congress election has seen a significant surge, more than doubling in the initial week compared to the last election in 2020. According to a press release issued on Monday, a total of 53,213 votes were cast between March 3 and March 10, reflecting a remarkable 122% increase from the 23,938 ballots recorded during the same period in 2020. At this current voting pace, projections indicate that the election could surpass the prior record of 123,575 total votes. While only 7,639 votes were cast in the first week of the 2015 election, the current turnout signals a much greater engagement among voters.
Delegates elected from the United States—152 in total, constituting roughly one-third of the Congress—will collaborate with global representatives to determine the leadership and strategic priorities of several key organizations, including the World Zionist Organization (WZO), Keren Kayemeth LeIsrael-Jewish National Fund (KKL-JNF), the Jewish Agency for Israel, and United Israel Appeal. Their decisions will significantly influence the allocation of over $1 billion annually to support Israel and Jewish communities across the globe.
Herbert Block, the executive director of the Association of Americans and Canadians in Israel (AZM), expressed his satisfaction with this unprecedented level of voter participation, remarking, “We are gratified to see the unprecedented voter participation in the election’s first week and anticipate that this pattern will continue throughout the voting period. By turning out in record numbers, American Jews are showing they are proudly Zionist and are sending a clear message that the stakes for the Jewish and Israeli future are higher than ever.”
A total of 22 groups are competing in this election, marking a 57% increase from the previous 14 groups in the 2020 election. Moreover, the 2025 election features over 2,900 candidates representing 43 US states and territories, an increase of more than 60% from the previous cycle. The 39th World Zionist Congress is scheduled to convene in Jerusalem from October 28 to 30, 2025.
The surge in voting for the 2025 World Zionist Congress reflects a growing engagement within the American Jewish community. With a notable increase in both voters and candidates, the upcoming Congress holds the potential for significant impacts on the future of Zionism and Jewish communities worldwide. This unprecedented participation underscores the heightened stakes perceived by voters in shaping the trajectory of Israel and global Jewry.
Original Source: www.jpost.com
